Star Trek: Voyager: Q Junior's Lessons

 Star Trek: Voyager – Q Junior's Lessons

Disowned by the Continuum

Q Junior pressed the announce button.

 

“Come in,” Captain Janeway said.

 

“Do you have a moment?” Q Junior asked. “A few days ago you offered to let me remain on Voyager. I know I’ve made a few mistakes since then, and you probably don’t want me around. But if it’s alright with you, I’d like to continue my training.”

 

“But you have nothing left to prove to the Continuum,” Aunt Kathy said.

 

“There’s a lot I still need to prove to you.”

 

“What about your father?”

 

“You don’t honestly believe we’ll see him again, do you? He obviously doesn’t want me around. Why else would he leave me here? Twice.”

 

However, they were then no longer alone, as his father appeared in the usual flash of light. “The question you should be asking is why I keep coming back. Now, I'm sorry I left so abruptly, but the Continuum's verdict demanded an immediate appeal. I told them I refused to belong to any Continuum that wouldn't accept my son as a member. We're a package deal.”

 

Junior was incredulous. “You left the Continuum for me?”

 

“Oh don’t be ridiculous. I'm the only one holding that place together. And when they realised they might lose me, they crumbled like a Gelbian sand sculpture.”

 

“They’re going to return my powers?”

 

“Not yet,” his father said.

 

“Not yet?” What do you mean not yet?”

 

“They think that a week is too short a time to prove you’ve changed.”

 

“How long,” Janeway asked.

 

“How long?” his father said, rhetorically. “However long it will take for you to get home, is how long.”

 

“So you’re saying…” the Captain began.

 

“They want Junior to help you get home to the Federation as a member of your crew. Once you get back to Earth, he gets his powers back.”

 

“That’s unfair,” Junior said.

 

“I know it is, son. But it will be a challenge.”

 

“Yes,” the Captain answered.

 

“Yes?” his father asked.

 

“Yes. I will let Junior remain on Voyager, which I was going to do before you returned.”

 

“Thank you, Captain.”

 

“Dismissed Junior. I would like to talk to your father, alone.”

 

“Sure, Captain.”

 

 

Kathryn watched Junior leave the ready room and then turned her attention back to his father. “So, the Continuum crumbled like a Gelbian sand sculpture?”

 

“Yes,” Q answered. “Yes. Some of them even got on their knees and begged me to stay. It was pathetic. If you must know, I had to agree to a few minor conditions.”

 

“Oh?” Such as?”

 

“Eternal custody of the boy, once he regains his powers, subject to review once every million years.”

 

“I hope he won’t spoil too much of your fun.”

 

“Well some of has been spoiled already. I wasn’t allowed to give you information that would have shortened your journey.”

 

“We’ll manage.”

 

“His contribution to the crew will more than make up for it. Besides, what example would you make to him if you cheated.”